Killer whales trapped in Quebec sea ice

MONTREAL (AP) - A community in Quebec's Far North is calling for outside help to free about a dozen killer whales trapped under a vast stretch of sea ice.

Locals in Inukjuak said the mammals have gathered around a single hole in the ice - slightly bigger than a pickup truck - in a desperate bid to get oxygen.

Mayor Peter Inukpuk urged the Canadian government Wednesday to send an icebreaker as soon as possible to crack open the ice and help them find open water. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans said it is sending officials to assess the situation.

"Fisheries and Oceans Canada is assessing the situation and are exploring every possible option, but will only be in a position to determine what - if anything - can be done once our specialists arrive on site," spokesman Frank Stanek said in a statement.

More at link including the fate of a polar bear who showed up to see what the brouhaha was all about...

There’s a pod of 18 killer whales trapped in the ice in Canada, crowded into a slowly shrinking breathing hole. They need help, but it’s hard to get near them because their thrashing throws up so many waves. Unless you’re an X-Man, preferably Cyclops, your best bet to help them is to nag the Canadian government to dispatch some assistance tout de suite.

Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans appears to be waffling on what to do about the whales, who will need an icebreaker to get free. One woman who contacted DFO on the whales’ behalf says she was told, “We don’t have a mandate to rescue marine mammals.” We’re pretty sure orcas can actually vote in Canada, so this seems like a huge mistake. If you think so too, you can contact DFO at info@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Normally we’re not all breathing down your neck to call your congressperson or whatever, but look at this face:

5. Good news for seals this week

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Jan. 8, 2013) - Humane Society International/Canada commends Taiwan for passing a landmark ban on trade in marine mammal products, including seal skins, but exempting products of traditional indigenous hunts. The Taiwanese Legislative Yuan passed the legislation with unanimous support following a multi-year campaign by Taiwanese animal protection group EAST in collaboration with HSI.

"The compassionate actions of the Taiwanese Legislative Yuan will save countless seals and other marine mammals from a horrible fate," said Rebecca Aldworth, executive director of HSI Canada. "The momentum to end trade in marine mammal products is growing and the sealing industry's days are numbered. Instead of providing more pointless subsidies to artificially prop up this shameful practice, Canada should prohibit the slaughter and invest in a transition program for sealers."

"Citizens of Taiwan care deeply about animal welfare, and we do not want to trade in products of cruelty that the rest of the world has rejected," said Wu Hung, executive director of EAST. "I am very proud of the leadership Taiwan has shown in banning trade in marine mammal products. I hope that many other nations will follow suit, and that the Canadian government will finally do as the majority of Canadians and people around the world want and end the seal hunt for good."

"Between 2003 and 2009, Taiwan imported 430,000 kilograms of seal oil, which made us the 4th largest importer of seal oil in the world. Through our trade in seal products, consumers in Taiwan were unintentionally involved in the killing of thousands of innocent seals in Canada," said Legislator Lin of the Legislative Yuan in Taiwan. "Taiwan's decision is an important step forward for animal protection and conservation in Asia."